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Along much of the Byway, hillslopes are Intrinsic Quality resources, cast striking
covered in woods or pasture, while level silhouettes along the Byway, as do the rows of
terraces of the river valley are farmed and the pines that surround each of the seven Amana
lowest-lying floodplains are restored wetlands. village cemeteries.
Taken together, the landscape forms quilted
squares of varying usage, exemplified in Grant Scenic milling features exist. The Amana mill
Wood’s “Young Corn” painting, sketched near race runs for 6.5 miles, stretching from near
High Amana and subsequently used on the South Amana to Amana. The Amana’s 170-
Federal Iowa Sesquicentennial stamp in 1996. acre Lily Lake was formed by a levee breach
along the mill race, over 130 years ago. Today,
The variety of land use, coupled with the residents and travelers alike enjoy the lake’s
rolling topography of the Bohemian Hills, is resident waterfowl, turtles, and muskrats and
particularly scenic. The seasonal variability the water lily (American lotus) bloom in July
creates a dynamic viewscape—black plowed and August. The Tama County mill race begins
fields in spring, lush summer vegetation, at the Meskwaki Settlement, extending east
ornamental fall foliage, and a crisp, white three miles to Tama. Cherry Lake, on the
snow-covered winter. south edge of Tama, is an impoundment of the
old mill race�
In the Amanas, the mosaic of farm fields,
pastures, and timber is interspersed with Some people consider pioneer or other early
seven picturesque villages, each maintaining cemeteries “reverently scenic.” The Byway
an exceptionally high level of historic integrity. corridor boundary contains 71 of these, a
The villages are comprised of mostly original count that excludes prehistoric archaeological
brick, stone, and wooden buildings and burial sites. The visual aspect of the four
structures. This scenic village landscape Meskwaki cemeteries conveys a real sense of
includes industrial buildings, such as the times past and continuity of traditions through
Amana Woolen Mill and the Homestead time, but these are not open to the public.
Blacksmith Shop; stores, like the West Amana Most of the other cemeteries are accessible,
General Store; farm complexes of barns and although a few are on private property or
outbuildings; churches and cemeteries; and involve access across private lands. Nearly
communal residences and kitchens, with their all of Tama County’s 28 pioneer cemeteries
associated outbuildings, like wood sheds, are marked. Some scenic cemetery examples
milkhouses, and washhouses. include the Titler Cemetery, with its small
prairie remnant; the Niles-Sprague Cemetery,
The two Amana Colonies Tannenwälder where the lone 1854 grave of young Mary
(pine groves) and the replanted Schulwäld Wright sits enclosed in a white board fence;
(children’s grove), both discussed as Historic
the West Maas Cemetery, wild with trees
